Bicycle Fashion Show.
(Photos © J. Maus)
Bike fashion in American is finally going way beyond spandex.
As biking takes off in big cities around the country, it’s not surprising that people want to look good doing it. They also want clothes that can stand up to the rigors of daily riding. At the Pedal Nation Bike Show, happening all this weekend at the Oregon Convention Center, there were several companies looking to fill that demand. There was also a fashion show where models on bikes showed how to put it all together.
Take Outlier for example, a company that makes “tailored performance clothing for cycling in the city.” Founder Abe Burmeister wanted a stylish pair of pants he could ride to work in, but he couldn’t find anything that did the job. So, with no fashion background whatsoever, he learned the ropes in Manhattan’s garment district. Now, he oversees a line of elegant, understated, and functional clothes. Burmeister told me he doesn’t think of Outlier as bike company: “We’re a clothing company for a world where people ride bikes. The way I see it, if you ride a bike everyday, your clothes should reflect that fact.”
Their new Workwear Pants are waterproof, have a bit of stretch, and are cut with biking in mind. They use a variety of fabrics, including cordura nylon in their pants and merino wool in t-shirts and polos.
In addition to Outlier, the show featured other up-and-coming bike fashion companies like GearPDX, Sheila Moon, Osloh Bicycle Jeans, Club Ride Apparel, and others.
At the Urban Bicycle Fashion Show, all the styles came together for an inspiring display of how to mix cycling with style. Check out the slideshow below for all the fresh looks and hot models:
— The Pedal Nation Bike Show is open from 10am – 5pm on Sunday (4/11). See more coverage of the show here.